So we're all pretty familiar with loofahs, right? They're those scrubby things that you use to help wash and thoroughly exfoliate yourself in the shower. And there are two kinds: the synthetic, colorful ones, and the natural, off-white ones. But what exactly is that off-white material? Drumroll please...dried-out gourds. Buzzfeed recently brought this shocking information to light, and we're extremely confused. Why is it so surprising? Most loofah advertising would have you believe loofahs come from the ocean (like natural sponges), not the vegetable aisle. So why aren't these gourds getting the attention they deserve?
Here's some more info on the specific plant your natural loofah comes from, as explained by Garden Guides. The Luffa aegyptiaca, also known as the sponge gourd and the Egyptian cucumber, is a deep green fruit. It resembles a large cucumber, ranging from 12-18 inches. It's grown for commercial purposes in China, Korea, Japan, and Central America, and the plant originates in India, where it still grows naturally. While the luffa is referred to as a fruit, multiple sources explain that when it's young, it can be enjoyed "as a vegetable." Delicious and good for your skin? Great.
"While the use of the luffa as an edible vegetable is not common in the United States, in its early immature stage it can be harvested and prepared like squash or can be eaten raw like the cucumber," Garden Guides explains. "During this time the luffa has not had the opportunity to develop its inner fibrous netting that it is more commonly grown for."
Once the outer shell begins to turn brown and the rattling of the seeds inside becomes audible, you can soak the fruit in hot water for several hours. Then, the skin will easily slip off, revealing a loofah. Voila!
See the mind-blowing plant in all its glory below.
